NewzVille Desk
The Election Commission of India has decided to hold bye-election to fill vacancies in the following Assembly Constituencies of Gujarat, Kerala, Punjab and West Bengal:
Gujarat:
Kadi (SC):
Due to the death of Karsanbhai Punjabhai Solanki
Visavadar:
Due to the resignation of Bhayani Bhupendrabhai Gandubhai
Kerala:
Nilambur:
Due to the resignation of P. V. Anvar
Punjab:
Ludhiana West:
Due to the death of Gurpreet Bassi Gogi
West Bengal:
Kaliganj:
Due to the death of Nasiruddin Ahamed
The Schedule for the bye election is enclosed below.
ELECTORAL ROLLS
Commission firmly believes that pure and updated electoral rolls are the foundation of free, fair and credible elections. Hence, intensive and sustained focus is placed upon improving its quality, health and fidelity. After the amendment in Section 14 of the Representation of the People Act-1950 by the Election Laws (Amendment) Act-2021, there is a provision of four qualifying dates to enroll as a voter in a year. Accordingly, the Commission conducted the Special Summary Revision of Electoral Roll with reference to 1st April, 2025, as the qualifying date, wherein applications were invited from eligible citizens seeking registration in electoral roll with respect to 1st April, 2025 as the qualifying date. After time-bound completion of Special Summary Revision of electoral rolls, the final publication of electoral roll was done on 5th May, 2025.
However, the process of continuous updation of electoral rolls will continue till the last date of filing nominations, with respect to proximate qualifying date, in respect to applications received till 10 days before last date of filling nomination.
ELECTRONIC VOTING MACHINES (EVMs) & VVPATs
The Commission has decided to use EVMs and VVPATs in the bye-election in all the polling stations. Adequate numbers of EVMs and VVPATs have been made available and all steps have been taken to ensure that the poll is conducted smoothly with the help of these machines.
IDENTIFICATION OF VOTERS
Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) shall be the main document of identification of a voter. However, any of the below mentioned identification documents can also be shown at the polling station:
Aadhar Card,
MGNREGA Job Card,
Passbooks with photograph issued by Bank/Post Office,
Health Insurance Smart Card issued under the scheme of Ministry of Labour,
Driving License,
PAN Card,
Smart Card issued by RGI under NPR,
Indian Passport,
Pension document with photograph,
Service Identity Cards with photograph issued to employees by Central/State Govt./PSUs/Public Limited Companies, and
Official identity cards issued to MPs/MLAs/MLCs.
Unique Disability ID (UDID) Card, M/o Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India
MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT
The Model Code of Conduct shall come into force with immediate effect in the district(s) in which the whole or any part of the Assembly constituency going for election is included, subject to provision of the instruction vide Commission’s letter No. 437/6/1NST/ECI/FUNCT/MCC/2024/(BYE ELECTIONS) dated 02nd January, 2024 (available on the Commission’s website).
INFORMATION REGARDING CRIMINAL ANTECEDENTS
Candidates with criminal antecedents are required to publish information in this regard in newspapers and through Television channels on three occasions during the campaign period. A political party that sets up candidates with criminal antecedents is also required to publish information about criminal background of its candidates, both on its website and also in newspapers and Television channels on three occasions.
Commission vide its letter No. 3/4/2019/SDR/Vol. IV dated 16th September, 2020 has directed that the period specified will be decided with three blocks in the following manner, so that electors have sufficient time to know about the background of such candidates:
Within first 4 days of withdrawal.
Between next 5th – 8th days.
From 9th day till the last day of campaign (the second day prior to date of poll)
